The carnivalSaint Martin carnival ends with the death of King Vaval, a wooden statue that is symbolically burned to bring the festivities to an end in a blaze of glory. Vladimira Dvorakova / age fotostock;
A mix of varied cultures and customs, Saint-Martin never slows down as far as entertainment and leisure are concerned. Saint-Martin is indeed a lively island, whatever the period of the year. You come here to have fun, dance, and meet people! Tropical music is an ever-present feature of the island: mambo, cha cha cha, salsa, calypso, biguine, go kwa, zouk, kompa, steel pan, dub, merengue, reggae, etc. It's everywhere; on the beaches, in the bars, in the restaurants, in the cars... You can't escape it. Any excuse to have a good time: among the main events, the carnival is the best example. It is a true institution that is held every year in January and February, followed by many other celebrations, such as Easter festivities when families gather in a friendly atmosphere, or the Saint-Louis' village festivities, where sporting, traditional and cultural events are organised. It is a place to come to with your family, as family plays a crucial role in the life of Saint-Martin... At dusk, night-time activities take over the island. Beach bars, casinos and nightclubs are the venue for locals and tourists who want to relax and have fun in a trendy atmosphere till the early hours of dawn. As we mentioned, the island dubbed the "Friendly Island" never sleeps...